By Marette Hahn
GCU Career Services
You would never know that Brenda Lara is the first person in her extended family to go to college.
The October Student Worker of the Month is double-majoring in Justice Studies and Psychology, she is a member of the Honors Institute and vice president of the Lopes Justice Society, and she holds down a student worker position as a peer mentor in the Center for Learning and Advancement.
With her parents as her motivation, Lara heeded the advice of friends, family, instructors and her former high school teachers who all encouraged her, “You can do it.” When she’s not planning Saturday hikes for the Lopes Justice Society, she’s organizing speakers and preparing for regional competitions. She has provided solidarity and consistency in a department that recently has seen a lot of change, said Brianna Boling, Lara's hiring manager.
“I nominated Brenda because she has been amazing through all of this change,” Boling said. “At one point, there were five students studying abroad, and she had all their lives in her hands. And she took care of all of them.
“She’s the ultimate ambassador for all of these programs,” Boling added.
Lara’s dream job is working for the FBI. “I know I have to prepare, though, so before that, I want to be a police officer, a U.S. Marshal, and then even in the military,” Lara explained.
Contact Career Services at 602-639-6606 or [email protected] or stop by the Career Services office in Camelback Hall.
